Systems and methods for the delivery of fluidic substances in an hvac system

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for the delivery of fluidic substances in an HVAC system are provided herein. Described herein are various examples of a prisoner cell fluidic substance delivery system. The delivery system installs on an HVAC duct servicing one or more cells. The delivery system includes a removable hatch that allows personnel to access the interior of the HVAC duct. The hatch and its access into the interior of the HVAC duct may be sized to allow for the ability of personnel to clear any debris or other foreign material from the interior prior to the insertion of a fluidic substance, such as tear gas or pepper spray. The various examples described herein allow the introduction of substances to a single cell or a limited number of cells without the need to generally disperse the substance.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/149,687 filed Feb. 16, 2021, entitled “Systems and Methods for theDelivery of Fluidic Substances in an HVAC System,” which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

In secured facilities, such as jails or prisons, when there is a riot orother extreme situation, corrections officers may be required to usefluidic substances such as tear gas or pepper spray. In conventionalsystems, the officers often disperse these substances by throwing acanister of the substance into the general area to be controlled. Thisgeneral dispersion of the substances can cause significant issues. Forexample, the dispersion causes other prisoners to be affected by thesubstance despite potentially their compliance with officer directivesor not being a party to the situation that created the need for thesubstance to be dispersed. Further, because of the dispersion into alarger general area, more of the substance is often needed because ofthe general nature of fluidic substances, especially gases, to dispersein open air, reducing their concentration at any given point. Thus, inorder to be an effective measure, officers may need to use a higheramount of the substance in order to achieve a desired concentration.Additionally, in conventional uses, the canisters used to introduce thesubstance into the area are sometimes used as weapons or projectilesagainst the officers.

It is with these and other concerns that an improved system and methodfor delivering a fluidic substance is described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures. The use of the same reference numbers in different figuresindicates similar or identical items or features.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example prisoner cell fluidic substancedelivery system, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentlydisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustration of the prisoner cell fluidicsubstance delivery system 100, in accordance with various embodiments ofthe presently disclosed subject matter,

FIG. 3 is a side view illustration of a prisoner cell fluidic substancedelivery system, in accordance with some examples of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top down view illustration of a prisoner cell fluidicsubstance delivery system, in accordance with some examples of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top down view illustration of an HVAC system indicatingwhere a fluidic substance delivery system may be installed on one ormore HVAC ducts, in accordance with some examples of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates the use of a site window in a hatch, in accordancewith some examples of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the present disclosure can comprise systems and methods forthe delivery of fluidic substances in a Heating, Ventilation, and AirConditioning (HVAC) system. The examples provided herein are directed toa use in a prison or jail (a secured space), though it should beunderstood that the principles and technologies described herein may beapplied in other uses, and thus, the presently disclosed subject matteris not limited to a use in a prison or jail. As used herein, a“substance” or “fluidic substance” includes, but is not limited to,gases, fluids, and combinations thereof such as tear gas or pepperspray. A substance or fluidic substance may also include germ fightingagents such as anti-microbial/anti-viral/anti-bacterial agents inaerosol form.

Examples of the presently disclosed subject matter include a securityaccess panel installed on an inlet to a cell or multiple cells of asecured facility. As used herein, a “cell” is a holding area for aprisoner or other person. As used herein, a “secured facility” includesa jail, prison, or other similar structure. In a large number of securedfacilities, HVAC is provided through individual vents to individualcells within the secured facility. Most secured facilities areconstructed so that rows of cells sit back to back with each other witha utility corridor running between the cells. The utility corridorsoften house the HVAC ducting. At each individual cell, or multiplecells, there is an HVAC supply providing heating or air conditioning tothat cell or group of cells. The HVAC supply of the secured access panelmay be provided to a subset of secured spaces (such as prison cells)than that serviced by the HVAC system.

An injection location according to various examples described herein isinstalled at an appropriate location to the cell or group of cells. Theinjection location may be a door or access panel that, when opened,allows a person to insert the desired substance into the cells servicedby the HVAC ducting to which the injection port is installed. Forexample, a particular cell may have HVAC ducting leading directly toonly the particular cell. Thus, if it is desired to introduce asubstance into the cell, the injection location may be installed andused on the HVAC ducting that leads only to the particular cell. Inanother example, it may be desired to introduce a substance to a groupof cells serviced by a common HVAC line. In this example, an injectionlocation may be installed at a common point of the HVAC ducting thatleads to the group of cells.

In some examples, the injection location is an opening in HVAC ductingthat is temporarily accessible using a door or other structure that,during normal use, closes the location to allow for the normal operationof the HVAC system. To insert a substance, an officer may access theappropriate HVAC ducting, open the access door, insert the substance,and then close the access door to cause the substance to be carried tothe cell or cells serviced by the accessed HVAC ducting. In someexamples, the access door is of a size to reduce the probability of itsuse as a means of escape by a prison. In further examples, the accessdoor is installed at a location that allows the person inserting thesubstance to clear the HVAC ducting, using a rod or other tool, prior tothe insertion of the substance to be dispersed. For example, once theaccess door is opened, a corrections officer can clear any debris orblockages from the HVAC ducting (sometimes referred to as a “return”),insert a riot control agent disbursement tool, inject the riot controlagent (substance) and allow the air from the HVAC to disperse the agentinto the cell. The corrections officer withdraws the disbursement tooland closes the access door. It is preferable that when the access dooris closed, an airtight or nearly airtight seal is created between theaccess door and the HVAC ducting. In some examples, the use of theaccess door allows a Corrections Officer to inject riot control gases orchemicals into an individual cell without the fear of being assaulted byan inmate. The access door also allows the clearance of obstructions inthe HVAC return by inmates without fear of being assaulted by an inmate.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example prisoner cell fluidic substancedelivery system 100, in accordance with various embodiments of thepresently disclosed subject matter. Illustrated in FIG. 1 is an HVACduct 102. The HVAC duct receives heating or cooling air from an HVACsystem (not shown) and directs the air in the enclosed HVAC duct 102 toa cell or group of cells (not shown). The solid arrows indicate atypical airflow through the HVAC duct 102. The HVAC duct 102 includesstraight duct portion 104A and straight duct portion 104B. To connectthe straight duct portion 104A to the straight duct portion 104B, and toallow for the change of direction between the straight duct portion 104Aand the straight duct portion 104B, the HVAC duct 102 includes ductelbow 106. The straight duct portion 104A, the straight duct portion104B, and the duct elbow 106 may be constructed of one, hollow piece ofcylindrical metal or may be multiple, hollow pieces of cylindricalmetal. The presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to anyparticular type of construction or material, as materials other thanmetal may be used and are considered to be within the scope of thepresently disclosed subject matter.

Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is access door 108. The access door 108 isused by personnel to introduce a substance into the HVAC duct 102, thuscarrying the substance to the cell or cells serviced by the HVAC duct102. The access door 108 includes a duct interface unit 110. The ductinterface unit 110 is used to install the access door 108 onto the HVACduct 102, providing a port through which personnel can access theinterior of the HVAC duct 102. To install the duct interface unit 110 ina previously existing HVAC duct 102, a technician cuts an opening intothe HVAC duct 102 and installs the duct interface unit 110 over theopening, defining a passageway through the duct interface unit 110 intothe HVAC duct 102. In some examples, a section of the HVAC duct 102 maybe removed and replaced with a section already having the duct interfaceunit 110 installed. In the example wherein the section of HVAC duct 102is installed into a pre-existing HVAC system, the HVAC duct 102 caninclude a first end for installation onto a first end of the HVAC systemand a second end for installation onto a second end of the HVAC system.The HVAC duct 102 can have the various components described hereinpre-installed on the HVAC duct 102 or may have a hole and space to allowfor the installation. Conventional methods of connecting metal may beused, such as, but not limited to, soldering and welding. In someexamples, the interface between the duct interface unit 110 and the HVACduct 102 is intended to be an airtight interface.

The access door 108 further includes door interface 112. The doorinterface 112 is a flat or significantly flat surface upon which agasket or other sealing material may be used to provide an airtightinterface between the duct interface unit 110 and a removable hatch 114.It should be understood that the sealing material or gasket may not beused in some examples, as the interface between the duct interface unit110 and the removable hatch 114 may be constructed so that an airtightor nearly airtight interface may be realized without the need for agasket or other material.

The removable hatch 114 includes a hatch panel 116 that is configuredand sized to interface with the duct interface unit 110. In someexamples, when the hatch panel 116 is removed, personnel will be able toaccess the inner portion of the HVAC duct 102 through the duct interfaceunit 110 (shown by a dashed arrow). To secure the hatch panel 116 to theduct interface unit 110, securement bolts 118 may be used. Thesecurement bolts 118 may be a threaded system that may be removablyinstallable. When removed, the hatch panel 116 may be removed from theduct interface unit 110 to allow access to the inner portion of the HVACduct 102, defining a second passageway through the door interface 112.The passageways provide a path to allow personnel to introduce a fluidicsubstance into the HVAC duct 102. When installed, the hatch panel 116may be removably affixed to the duct interface unit 110. It should beunderstood that the use of securement bolts 118 are merely an example ofa hatch panel 116 securement technology, as other securementtechnologies may be used and are considered to be within the scope ofthe presently disclosed subject matter.

To provide a way for personnel to hold the hatch panel 116 when eithersecuring or removing the hatch panel 116 from the duct interface unit110, a handle 120 is provided. The handle 120 is designed to allowpersonnel to grab onto the hatch panel 116. The hatch panel 116 may alsoinclude a panel chain 122. The panel chain 122 is affixed to the hatchpanel 116 and another component, like the duct interface unit 110, sothat when the hatch panel 116 is removed from the duct interface unit110, the hatch panel 116 does not fall to the floor. Other technologiesfor securing the hatch panel 116 may be used and are considered to bewithin the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter.

In some examples, the size of the opening when the hatch panel 116 isremoved is sized to reduce the probability that a prisoner can use theopening to either escape or for other nefarious reasons. In anotherexample, the size of the opening when the hatch panel 116 is removed issized to allow personnel to clear debris or other materials from theopening or in the inner portion of the HVAC duct 102, debris which mayblock or otherwise hinder the ability to insert a substance to bedispersed into a cell. In one example, the opening through the hatchpanel 116 when the hatch panel 116 is removed may be approximately 9″ by9″ in dimension (height-length). Other dimensions may also be used forthe same purpose and functionality and are considered to be within thescope of the presently disclosed subject matter.

To install, a method of installing a security access panel onto aheating, ventilation, and cooling (“HVAC”) duct of a pre-existing HVACsystem of a secured facility, the HVAC duct providing air to a subset ofsecured spaces serviced by the HVAC system, the method comprising:providing the existing HVAC duct; removing at least a portion of theHVAC duct to create an opening in the HVAC duct; installing a ductinterface unit over the opening of the HVAC duct defining a firstpassageway through the duct interface unit into the HVAC duct, whereinthe first passageway is sized to allow personnel to clear the firstpassageway of debris in the HVAC duct; installing a door interface ontothe duct interface unit; installing a removable hatch, the removablehatch comprising: a hatch panel removably affixed to the duct interfaceunit; and removable securement bolts to secure the hatch panel to theduct interface unit when the securement bolts installed and allow theremoval of the hatch panel from the duct interface unit when thesecurement bolts are removed, wherein a second passageway is definedthrough the door interface when the hatch panel is removed, the secondpassageway and the first passageway providing a path to allow theintroduction of the fluidic substance into the HVAC duct.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustration of the prisoner cell fluidicsubstance delivery system 100, in accordance with various embodiments ofthe presently disclosed subject matter. Illustrated in FIG. 2 is theHVAC duct 102. The HVAC duct 102 includes the straight duct portion 104Aand the straight duct portion 104B. The HVAC duct 102 includes the ductelbow 106. Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is the access door 108. The accessdoor 108 is used by personnel to introduce a substance into the HVACduct 102, thus carrying the substance to the cell or cells serviced bythe HVAC duct 102. The access door 108 includes the duct interface unit110. The duct interface unit 110 is used to install the access door 108onto the HVAC duct 102, providing a port 202 through which personnel canaccess the interior of the HVAC duct 102.

The access door 108 further includes the door interface 112. The doorinterface 112 is a flat or significantly flat surface upon which agasket or other sealing material may be used to provide an airtightinterface between the duct interface unit 110 and the removable hatch114. The removable hatch 114 includes the hatch panel 116 that isconfigured and sized to interface with the duct interface unit 110. Insome examples, when the hatch panel 116 is removed, a personnel will beable to access the inner portion of the HVAC duct 102 through the ductinterface unit 110 and the port 202. To secure the hatch panel 116 tothe duct interface unit 110, the securement bolts 118 may be used. Thesecurement bolts 118 may be a threaded system that may be removablyinstallable. It should be understood that the use of securement bolts118 are merely an example of a hatch panel 116 securement technology, asother securement technologies may be used and are considered to bewithin the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter.

The handle 120 is designed to allow personnel to grab onto the hatchpanel 116. The hatch panel 116 may also include the panel chain 122. Thepanel chain 122 is affixed to the hatch panel 116 and another component,like the duct interface unit 110, so that when the hatch panel 116 isremoved from the duct interface unit 110, the hatch panel 116 does notfall to the floor. Other technologies for securing the hatch panel 116may be used and are considered to be within the scope of the presentlydisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustration of the prisoner cell fluidicsubstance delivery system 100, in accordance with some examples of thepresent disclosure. Illustrated in FIG. 3 is the HVAC duct 102. Alsoillustrated in FIG. 2 is the access door 108. The access door 108includes the duct interface unit 110 and the door interface 112. Theremovable hatch 114 includes the hatch panel 116, the handle 120, andthe panel chain 122.

FIG. 4 is a top down view illustration of the prisoner cell fluidicsubstance delivery system 100, in accordance with some examples of thepresent disclosure. Illustrated in FIG. 4 is the HVAC duct 102. Alsoillustrated in FIG. 4 is the access door 108. The access door 108includes the duct interface unit 110 and the door interface 112. Theremovable hatch 114 includes the hatch panel 116 and the handle 120.

FIG. 5 is a top down view illustration of an HVAC system 500 indicatingwhere a fluidic substance delivery system 100 may be installed on one ormore HVAC ducts, in accordance with some examples of the presentdisclosure. As noted above, in a large number of secured facilities,HVAC is provided through individual vents to individual cells within thesecured facility. Most secured facilities are constructed so that rowsof cells sit back to back with each other with a utility corridor (anunsecured space) running between the cells. The utility corridors oftenhouse the HVAC ducting. At each individual cell, or multiple cells,there is an HVAC supply providing heating or air conditioning to thatcell or group of cells.

In FIG. 5, illustrated is a utility corridor 502 that houses HVAC ducts504 serviced from an HVAC unit 506 through headers 508. The HVAC ducts504 receive air (heating or cooling) from the HVAC unit 506 to servicecells 510A-510D. Illustrated in FIG. 5 are fluidic substance deliverysystems 512A and 512B. As illustrated, the fluidic substance deliverysystem 512A is installed on the header 508 that services multiple cells,i.e. the cells 510A and 510B. Thus, if used to insert a substance, thesubstance will be delivered to the cells 510A and 510B. The fluidicsubstance deliver system 512B is installed on the header 508 thatservices only the cell 510D. Thus, if used, the fluidic substancedeliver system 512B will allow the introduction of a substance only intothe cell 510D.

FIG. 6 illustrates the use of a site window 602 in a hatch, inaccordance with some examples of the present disclosure. In someinstances, it may be valuable or desired to be able to inspect theinterior of an HVAC duct before opening the HVAC duct to the outside forthe insertion of a substance, such as tear gas or pepper spray. Forexample, there may be the potential of a dangerous object or blockageinserted by a prison or other personnel into the HVAC duct. Opening theHVAC duct may expose personnel to danger. Further, being able to inspectthe interior of the HVAC duct prior to opening the hatch may allow thepersonnel to select the appropriate tools or equipment in order to clearany potential issues present in the interior of the HVAC duct.

Thus, illustrated in FIG. 6 is an alternative hatch 604 that includesthe site window 602. The site window 602 may be constructed of clear orsemi-clear glass, plexiglass, or other suitable material. Wheninstalled, the interface between site window 602 and the hatch 604 maybe airtight or nearly airtight. The site window 602 may be used bypersonnel to view into an HVAC duct to determine if there are anypotential issues prior to opening the hatch 604 for the insertion of asubstance.

The presently disclosed examples are considered in all respects to beillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure isindicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description,and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalentsthereof are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of installing a security access panelonto a heating, ventilation, and cooling (“HVAC”) duct of a pre-existingHVAC system of a secured facility, the HVAC duct providing air to asubset of secured spaces serviced by the HVAC system, the methodcomprising: providing the HVAC duct; removing at least a portion of theHVAC duct to create an opening in the HVAC duct; installing a ductinterface unit over the opening of the HVAC duct defining a firstpassageway through the duct interface unit into the HVAC duct, whereinthe first passageway is sized to allow personnel to clear the firstpassageway of debris in the HVAC duct; installing a door interface ontothe duct interface unit; installing a removable hatch, the removablehatch comprising: a hatch panel removably affixed to the duct interfaceunit; and securement bolts that are removable to secure the hatch panelto the duct interface unit when the securement bolts installed and allowthe removal of the hatch panel from the duct interface unit when thesecurement bolts are removed, wherein a second passageway is definedthrough the door interface when the hatch panel is removed, the secondpassageway and the first passageway providing a path to allow anintroduction of a fluidic substance into the HVAC duct.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising installing a handle onto the hatch panel. 3.The method of claim 1, further comprising installing a panel chainbetween the removable hatch and the duct interface unit.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the removable hatch further comprises a site windowto allow an inspection prior to removing the removable hatch.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first passageway defined by the ductinterface unit and the HVAC duct is sized to reduce a probability of ahuman entering an unsecured space from a secured space.
 6. A heating,ventilation, and cooling (“HVAC”) apparatus for fluidic substancedelivery, the HVAC apparatus comprising: a duct interface unit connectedto a portion of an HVAC duct defining a first passageway though the ductinterface unit into the HVAC duct; a door interface providing anairtight interface between the duct interface unit and a removablehatch; and the removable hatch comprising: a hatch panel removablyaffixed to the duct interface unit; and securement bolts that areremovable to secure the hatch panel to the duct interface unit when thesecurement bolts installed and allow the removal of the hatch panel fromthe duct interface unit when the securement bolts are removed, wherein asecond passageway is defined through the door interface when the hatchpanel is removed, the second passageway and the first passagewayproviding a path to allow an introduction of a fluidic substance intothe HVAC duct.
 7. The HVAC apparatus of claim 6, wherein the removablehatch further comprises a handle.
 8. The HVAC apparatus of claim 6,further comprising a chain for securing the removable hatch to the ductinterface unit.
 9. The HVAC apparatus of claim 6, wherein the removablehatch further comprises a site window to allow an inspection prior toremoving the removable hatch.
 10. The HVAC apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe first passageway defined by the duct interface unit and the HVACduct is sized to reduce a probability of a human entering an unsecuredspace from a secured space.
 11. The HVAC apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe first passageway defined by the duct interface unit and the HVACduct is sized to allow personnel to clear the first passageway ofdebris.
 12. A heating, ventilation, and cooling (“HVAC”) duct forinstallation into an HVAC system, the HVAC duct used for fluidicsubstance delivery, the HVAC duct comprising: a first end of the HVACduct to be installed on a first end of the HVAC system; a second end ofthe HVAC duct to be installed on a second end of the HVAC system; theHVAC duct comprising: a duct interface unit connected to a portion of anHVAC duct defining a first passageway though the duct interface unitinto the HVAC duct; a door interface providing an airtight interfacebetween the duct interface unit and a removable hatch; and the removablehatch comprising: a hatch panel removably affixed to the duct interfaceunit; and securement bolts that are removable to secure the hatch panelto the duct interface unit when the securement bolts installed and allowthe removal of the hatch panel from the duct interface unit when thesecurement bolts are removed, wherein a second passageway is definedthrough the door interface when the hatch panel is removed, the secondpassageway and the first passageway providing a path to allow anintroduction of a fluidic substance into the HVAC duct.
 13. The HVACduct of claim 12, wherein the removable hatch further comprises ahandle.
 14. The HVAC duct of claim 12, further comprising a chain forsecuring the removable hatch to the duct interface unit.
 15. The HVACduct of claim 12, wherein the removable hatch further comprises a sitewindow to allow an inspection prior to removing the removable hatch. 16.The HVAC duct of claim 12, wherein the first passageway defined by theduct interface unit and the HVAC duct is sized to reduce a probabilityof a human entering an unsecured space from a secured space.
 17. TheHVAC duct of claim 12, wherein the first passageway defined by the ductinterface unit and the HVAC duct is sized to allow personnel to clearthe first passageway of debris.